Manchester and St. Petersburg have been twin cities for more than 50 years, the British and Russian governments have agreed that 2014 will be the year of Anglo - Russian culture. We have decided to check what is happening in Manchester's cultural scene. Here we found a group of 4 people who are working on a joint project called 'To Russia With Love'. One of the play writers Chris Hoyle from Manchester found a minute to tell us about the this project.   

 

• Hello Chris. We know you are very busy and would like to thank you for your time. Could you please introduce the public to your play? What is it about?

The play was one of four very different plays that made up one show called To Russia with Love. My play was called - Don’t tell the Kids, and focused on the issues from a young persons perspective. Two gay six-form students from Manchester were heading off to Sochi with their College to the Winter Olympic games. The night before they go, Stacey and Callum decide to go to a rave. They are really worried about traveling to Russia, and are very unsure how safe it is out there for them. At the rave, Callum and his first boyfriend, Azeem get caught up in a homophobic attack. In a nutshell, the plays themes are about sexuality, religion and falling in love for the first time. Azeem is a Muslim, so these issues are a problem in his society. I wanted the play to be a reminder that homophobia is not limited to Russia and it is still very much part of our society. The play was developed with a young LGBT group at the Bolton Octagon Theatre. They helped me shape the story and try things out with the script.

• Is the play based on a true story?

The play was completely fictional and not based on true stories.

• Who else got involved in this play? Were there any Russians? 

All the four plays of TRWL were all very different by four brilliant writers. The overall message was to offer support to the LGBT community out in Russia. LGBT rights are at the forefront of political discussions worldwide at the moment and so important that LGBT have a voice. The Arts Council funded the event. We did by chance talk and have contact with a Russian man who was visiting Manchester. He was a victim of hate crime in Moscow and it was really interesting hear him talk about it. I found it quite sad that really he was torn between having a voice as a gay man and being a very conservative Russian. The whole evening was a huge success, the feedback and reviews have been fantastic. I’m extending Don’t tell the Kids into a longer play and hoping to tour it next year.